CM Rio allocates portfolios to ministers; 24 advisors appointed

On the advice of chief minister Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland governor La Ganesan allocated portfolios to the council of ministers, including two deputy chief ministers, besides appointing and allocating portfolios to 24 advisers.
Rio retained crucial departments like Finance and P&AR and any other portfolio(s) not allotted to any minister, stated a notification issued by cabinet secretary J Alam.
Former NPF chief minister T.R. Zeliang who took over from Rio in 2014, was appointed as deputy chief minister and was allotted Planning and Transformation and National Highways. BJP’s Y. Patton who was re-appointed as deputy chief minister, retained Home and was allotted Border Affairs.
The cabinet included seven from NDPP and five from BJP besides the chief minister. Those who were ministers in the outgoing ministry more or less retained the same portfolio. The chief minister also appointed 17 newly elected members from NDPP and seven from BJP as Advisers with portfolios. One NDPP elected member Sharingain Longkumer who was Speaker in the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) was not included and is likely to be re-elected as the Speaker of the 14th NLA.
The cabinet ministers include seven from the NDPP and five from the BJP, while 17 advisers have been appointed from the NDPP and seven from the BJP. Sources said that the post of deputy speaker would be filled later- likely from any of the parties that have expressed support to the new government from other parties such as NCP, NPP, LJP (RV), RPI (A) and JD(U). It was also speculated that partyworkers includign non-NDPP and BJP members could also be appointed as chairmen of various state corporations etc.
In another separate notification issued by the cabinet secretary, it was mentioned that advisers were appointed to help utilise the vast and practical experience of the legislators for the benefit of public at large. It said that the advisers would offer their advice on matters that were referred to them by the departments concerned for their views/suggestions before these were put up to the minister in-charge concerned for a final decision.
The advisers would not be eligible for any pay, salary, emoluments, remuneration or any perks/advantages of any kind from the State government other than what was normally admissible to them as members of NLA through the Assembly secretariat, the notification stated.
Plg & Coordination deptt re-named
The state cabinet, during its first meeting held on March 7 approved the re-naming of the existing Planning and Coordination department as Planning & Transformation department.
Taking note of the re-naming of Planning Commission as NITI Aayog, it was learnt that the chief secretary, during the meeting, had briefed the cabinet on the need to re-orient the focus and work profile of the planning & coordination department in view of the changes that hwave come about in the past years.
Accordingly, the cabinet after discussion approved the re-naming of the department.